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Showing results for backing. Search instead for back-lying.
Synonyms

backing

American  
[bak-ing] / ˈbæk ɪŋ /

noun

backings plural
  1. aid or support of any kind.

    Synonyms:
    encouragement, patronage, sanction, sponsorship, endorsement, assistance, help
  2. supporters or backers collectively.

  3. something that forms the back or is placed at or attached to the back of anything to support, strengthen, or protect it.

  4. Theater. a curtain or flat placed behind a window, entrance, or other opening in a stage set to conceal the offstage area.

  5. material for backing a joist or rafter.

  6. a bevel given to the outer and upper edge of a hip rafter.

  7. the musical accompaniment for a soloist; backup.


backing British  
/ ˈbækɪŋ /

noun

  1. support given to a person, cause, or enterprise

  2. a body of supporters

  3. something that forms, protects, supports, or strengthens the back of something

  4. theatre a scenic cloth or flat placed behind a window, door, etc, in a set to mask the offstage space

  5. musical accompaniment, esp for a pop singer

  6. the support in gold or precious metals for a country's issue of money in notes

  7. meteorol an anticlockwise change in wind direction

  8. a passageway running behind a row of terraced houses

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

Etymology

Origin of backing

First recorded in 1590–1600; back 1 + -ing 1

Vocabulary lists containing backing

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

It is understood the signing has widespread backing across the club.

From BBC Jul. 27, 2026

The backing by Nvidia would enable SoftBank to raise debt on more favorable terms, the Journal noted, which would otherwise be challenging given how S&P Global has flagged OpenAI as a key credit risk.

From MarketWatch Jul. 27, 2026

What’s more, Solyndra was credibly accused of misleading the government about its finances in order to secure backing, leading to the company being raided by the FBI.

From Slate Jul. 27, 2026

Sazerac’s letter said the bid had the backing of Wells Fargo and Apollo Global Management, confirming an earlier Journal report, and additional interest from banks to support the deal.

From The Wall Street Journal Jul. 26, 2026

Cora looks like a bunny, but she’s got teeth—still, I’d back her up, same as she’s backing me and my girl.

From "Wayward Creatures" by Dayna Lorentz

Many of Clarke's poems were originally released with musical backings masterminded by producer Martin Hannett, who was known for his work with Joy Division.

From BBC Mar. 23, 2025

At that point, bank targets may be persuaded to do deals not because they need the liquidity, but to show they have the backings of large institutional investors.

From Reuters Mar. 14, 2023

Dennis Reed, a proprietor of Hi-Tek Redneck Karaoke & DJ Service, served as the M.C. while overseeing the sound system and musical backings.

From New York Times Aug. 24, 2022

Ms. Kokoszka described the members as having “unselfishly donated their time, talents, fabrics, battings, backings, bindings and labels for the making of the quilts each of our honored guests will receive tonight.”

From Washington Times Oct. 24, 2020

We make complicated floral patterns with a compass, we glue odd substances to cardboard backings: feathers, sequins, pieces of macaroni garishly dyed, lengths of drinking straw.

From "Cat's Eye" by Margaret Atwood

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